Women's football

Sunday 7 March 2004 21.02 EST
First published on Sunday 7 March 2004 21.02 EST

Not so long ago, Fulham were unbeatable. Only Charlton could come close. But yesterday, when the two met at the Fulham men's Motspur Park training ground, the former professionals let slip a worthy lead, and with it their chance to overtake their opponents at the top of the table.

On the face of it, this is starting to look like a bad year for Fulham, who went out of the FA Cup to Charlton in January. But Marieanne Spacey's side, who ceded an unbeaten record which had lasted for more than two years, are very different from the one that, on the wings of Mohamed Al Fayed's millions, soared above every opponent in cup and league.

Only a handful of yesterday's first XI regularly found themselves in the starting line-up during those years of professionalism. Spacey has set about putting together a side of tryers and talents, top-flight second-stringers and stars of the lower leagues.

Yesterday Tammy Waine, previously of lowly Brighton, gave them the lead. Then Charlton's Carmaine Walker won a penalty only for her kick to be saved by Leanne Hall. It seemed this might be Fulham's day.

The powerful and predatory Walker, however, made amends by scooping in the visitors' equaliser and then, with five minutes to go, she scored the winner.

Walker is not a player without problems. Her part in a punch-up at an England fitness session last September has earned her a 28-day suspension from the Football Association, against which her club is appealing.

"She used to have disciplinary problems, always late for training," her manager Keith Boanas said. "But I've instilled belief in her that she could be an England player."

Elsewhere, Bristol Rovers lost 1-0 at home to Birmingham ,Doncaster Rovers Belles beat Everton 2-1, and Leeds went down 2-1 at home to Arsena.